bonne nuit, je t'aime
To say "good night, love you" in French, use bonne nuit, je t'aime.
This phrase is used to say goodbye and express affection to someone before they go to sleep.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of bonne nuit (good night) and je t'aime (I love you).
Which one should you use?
While bonne nuit, je t'aime is used for a single person you know well, you would use bonne nuit, je vous aime if you are saying good night to more than one person or if you are using a formal tone.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
bonne nuit, je t'aime is an informal and intimate phrase, used primarily with romantic partners, family members or very close friends. In slang, you might hear Bonne nuit, je t'aime grave to mean "Good night, I really love you."
Did you know?
- When saying je t'aime to a child or a romantic partner, French speakers often use the diminutive mon chou, meaning 'my cabbage'. This term of endearment is frequently paired with these affectionate farewells.
- While je t'aime is the standard way to say 'I love you', adding the word bien to make je t'aime bien actually weakens the sentiment to 'I like you'. In this context, adding a modifier can accidentally turn a romantic expression into a friendly one.
- In France, the phrase bonne nuit is strictly used only when someone is actually going to bed. If you are simply leaving a place at night, you must use bonne soirée instead, or you will sound like you are telling your host to go to sleep.
Examples in context
- Bonne nuit, je t'aime. Rêve de moi!Good night, I love you. Dream of me!
- Bonne nuit, je t'aime graveGood night, I really love you.
- Bonne nuit, je t'aime, fais de beaux rêves.Good night, love you, sweet dreams.
- Bonne nuit, je t'aime très fort.Good night, love you very much.
Example conversation
A couple is in bed getting ready to sleep.
- NathanBonne nuit, je t'aime, Chloé.Good night, love you, Chloé.
- ChloéBonne nuit, Nathan, je t'aime aussi.Good night, Nathan, love you too.
- NathanÀ demain.See you tomorrow.
- ChloéÀ demain, dors bien.See you tomorrow, sleep well.
